The 2 Series Coupe is a sub-compact successor to the popular 1 Series Coupe. Characteristic design elements of have been carried over, but with a twist. It has a two door body in a classic three-box design and there is a clear distinction between roofline and trunk, with the side swage lines wrapping around into the tail. The Coupe is significantly larger than its predecessor, has better aerodynamics, rear-wheel drive, a pair of engine options and is available in two models, the 228i and the M235i.
228i Coupe — is the first sub-compact BMW to be powered by the 240 hp version of BMW’s hot new 2.0-liter engine. The four-cylinder powerplant has TwinPower Turbo technology (twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection, Valvetronic, Double-VANOS), clocks 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds with the eight-speed sport automatic transmission and has a top speed of 130 mph. Fuel economy mpg stats are 23 city/35 highway/27 combined.
M235i Coupe — comes with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with TwinPower technology and delivers 320 hp and 330 pound-feet of torque. It has M-specific chassis tuning, adaptive suspension, a sport braking system, variable sport steering and Michelin Pilot Super Sports tires. Even the exhaust has been specifically tuned. This little baby clocks 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds with the automatic gearbox and tops out at 155 mph. Fuel economy mpg stats are 22 city/32 highway/25 combined.
BMW lovers will find there is even more to love in the M235i Coupe, with its rear wheel drive, longitudinally mounted engines, perfectly balanced weight distribution and sophisticated chassis technology. The double-pivot spring strut front suspension and five-link rear suspension, variable sport steering, M Sport braking system and Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers are all standard equipment (optional on the 228i Coupe).
BMW jacks up the efficiency even more with extensive use of its Efficient Dynamics technology, which includes Air Curtains and the Auto Start/Stop function for cars with either a manual or an automatic transmission. The ECO PRO mode is activated via the standard Driving Experience Control switch and includes a coasting function on the eight-speed automatic gearbox.
On the inside, the interior is high-quality and keyed by a driver-focused cockpit; dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, as is the iDrive operating system that includes a 6.5 inch Control Display in an exclusive BMW flatscreen design.
The 2014 BMW 2 Series Coupe has an MSRP of $33,025 for the 228i and $44,025 for the M235i.
[author image=”http://www.samaonline.org/Ron.jpg” ]Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.[/author]
